University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust

Programme Assistant – Industry and Innovation – NAS

The closing date is 27 July 2025

Job summary

As one of 15 Health Innovation Networks (HINs) across England, we connect and support academics, the NHS, industry and others to bring fresh energy to old problems, inspired thinking to new ones and to adopt innovative practice at scale.

You will be working with progressive startups, clinicians and innovators from across the UK and potentially globally with innovative ideas products and solutions for the NHS and patients you will play a role in curating opportunities for them to navigate the health innovation ecosystem through various NHS, NIHR and national bodies.

Main duties of the job

As one of 15 Health Innovation Networks (HINs) across England, we connect and support academics, the NHS, industry and others to bring fresh energy to old problems, inspired thinking to new ones and to adopt innovative practice at scale.

You will be working with progressive startups, clinicians and innovators from across the UK and potentially globally with innovative ideas products and solutions for the NHS and patients you will play a role in curating opportunities for them to navigate the health innovation ecosystem through various NHS, NIHR and national bodies.

About us

University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.

Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast.

We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalizing your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

At UHS we're committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients.

At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognizing that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We're committed to creating an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute.

Details

Date posted

07 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

Depending on experience £37,338 - £44,962 pa or pa pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

18 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

188-THQ040725-A

Job locations

University of Southampton Science Park

2 Venture Road

Chilworth

SO16 7NP


Job description

Job responsibilities

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

WHAT YOULL DO

You will assess incoming Innovation Records in the NHS Innovation Service to understand the innovation, its use and purpose, evaluate the stage of development it has achieve and therefore what needs are outstanding. Using your skills, knowledge and expertise, you will allocate to 25 partner organisations such as the National Institute for Healthcare Research (NIHR), NHS Supply Chain and NICE to support the innovator to close the developmental gaps. This will include monthly reporting of KPIs and co ordinating periodic reviews with each organisation to review their support criteria documentation and recent allocations. You will also delegate assessments to others in the team, manage service flow and be responsible for the prioritisation of tasks. You will work as part of a dynamic, progressive team working with the innovations of tomorrow. You will support innovators to navigate the local healthcare ecosystem for innovation such as collaborating with NHS providers, academic institutions and research organisations as well as local businesses.

WHAT WERE LOOKING FOR

We are an ambitious organisation, looking for passionate and motivated people to join us with a proven track record of delivery. You will need a tenacity to succeed, great communication and project management skills, an ability to build new relationships quickly, and the capability to drive innovation in practice. You may not feel you meet all aspects of the role, but we welcome applications from people with a wide range of past experiences whether that be clinical, NHS management or from industry an appreciation of the challenges involved with innovation deployment and transformation in the NHS is an advantage to succeed in this role. Past experience of product development, commissioning, transformation and project management are also advantageous.

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Gemma Snell

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Interviews will be held on Wednesday, 06 August 2025

Should you have any queries, please use the contact details below to get in touch

Job description

Job responsibilities

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

WHAT YOULL DO

You will assess incoming Innovation Records in the NHS Innovation Service to understand the innovation, its use and purpose, evaluate the stage of development it has achieve and therefore what needs are outstanding. Using your skills, knowledge and expertise, you will allocate to 25 partner organisations such as the National Institute for Healthcare Research (NIHR), NHS Supply Chain and NICE to support the innovator to close the developmental gaps. This will include monthly reporting of KPIs and co ordinating periodic reviews with each organisation to review their support criteria documentation and recent allocations. You will also delegate assessments to others in the team, manage service flow and be responsible for the prioritisation of tasks. You will work as part of a dynamic, progressive team working with the innovations of tomorrow. You will support innovators to navigate the local healthcare ecosystem for innovation such as collaborating with NHS providers, academic institutions and research organisations as well as local businesses.

WHAT WERE LOOKING FOR

We are an ambitious organisation, looking for passionate and motivated people to join us with a proven track record of delivery. You will need a tenacity to succeed, great communication and project management skills, an ability to build new relationships quickly, and the capability to drive innovation in practice. You may not feel you meet all aspects of the role, but we welcome applications from people with a wide range of past experiences whether that be clinical, NHS management or from industry an appreciation of the challenges involved with innovation deployment and transformation in the NHS is an advantage to succeed in this role. Past experience of product development, commissioning, transformation and project management are also advantageous.

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Gemma Snell

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Interviews will be held on Wednesday, 06 August 2025

Should you have any queries, please use the contact details below to get in touch

Person Specification

Qualifications / training required

Essential

  • Educated to degree level or able to demonstrate an equivalent level of knowledge skills and experience in a relevant related or project management discipline
  • Knowledge of the specialist work practices and/ or professional guidelines relevant to the HIW programme area
  • Knowledge and experience of the NHS and local health and social service functions or of commercial work within the healthcare sector
  • Project Management training (e.g. PRINCE II)

Desirable

  • Professionally qualified or a relevant degree in a clinical/healthcare subject

Previous or relevant experience necessary

Essential

  • Project Management experience
  • Programme or project support experience in an NHS or care service setting or in a commercial setting within the healthcare sector.
  • Experience of integrated working
  • Change management/ quality improvement experience
  • Experience of organising/ managing events
  • Taking and writing-up technical notes of meetings

Desirable

  • Experience of working with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software.
  • Experience in previous roles of participating in part of the innovation development pathway
  • Experience of reviewing innovations that may be in development, gathering evidence or deployed.

HIW and the Trust's Values

Essential

  • Innovative
  • Inclusive
  • Collaborative
  • Achieving
  • Trustworthy
  • Patients First
  • Always Improving
  • Working Together
Person Specification

Qualifications / training required

Essential

  • Educated to degree level or able to demonstrate an equivalent level of knowledge skills and experience in a relevant related or project management discipline
  • Knowledge of the specialist work practices and/ or professional guidelines relevant to the HIW programme area
  • Knowledge and experience of the NHS and local health and social service functions or of commercial work within the healthcare sector
  • Project Management training (e.g. PRINCE II)

Desirable

  • Professionally qualified or a relevant degree in a clinical/healthcare subject

Previous or relevant experience necessary

Essential

  • Project Management experience
  • Programme or project support experience in an NHS or care service setting or in a commercial setting within the healthcare sector.
  • Experience of integrated working
  • Change management/ quality improvement experience
  • Experience of organising/ managing events
  • Taking and writing-up technical notes of meetings

Desirable

  • Experience of working with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software.
  • Experience in previous roles of participating in part of the innovation development pathway
  • Experience of reviewing innovations that may be in development, gathering evidence or deployed.

HIW and the Trust's Values

Essential

  • Innovative
  • Inclusive
  • Collaborative
  • Achieving
  • Trustworthy
  • Patients First
  • Always Improving
  • Working Together

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust

Address

University of Southampton Science Park

2 Venture Road

Chilworth

SO16 7NP


Employer's website

https://www.uhs.nhs.uk/home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust

Address

University of Southampton Science Park

2 Venture Road

Chilworth

SO16 7NP


Employer's website

https://www.uhs.nhs.uk/home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

NAS Lead

Gemma Snell

Gemma.snell@hiwessex.net

07784235770

Details

Date posted

07 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

Depending on experience £37,338 - £44,962 pa or pa pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

18 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

188-THQ040725-A

Job locations

University of Southampton Science Park

2 Venture Road

Chilworth

SO16 7NP


Supporting documents

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